Apple Reportedly Snaps Up Company Behind Microsoft Kinect
According to a report from Israeli newspaper Calcalist, Apple has completed an acquisition for PrimeSense, the company originally behind Microsoft’s Kinect. The paper did not cite any sources, so take the report for what it’s worth, but the deal is reportedly for $345 million.
PrimeSense issued a non-statement statement on the matter, telling various outlets that “"We are focused on building a prosperous company while bringing 3D sensing and natural interaction to the mass market in a variety of markets such as interactive living room and mobile devices. We do not comment on what any of our partners, customers or potential customers are doing and we do not relate to rumours or recycled rumours."
This isn’t the first we’ve heard of a potential PrimeSense acquisition by Apple, as the Calcalist published a report this summer indicating that a deal between the companies was a possibility, and it’s not at all surprising that Apple would want to have PrimeSense’s 3D technology under its own roof.
Kinect has become an increasingly successful product largely because it’s becoming a platform that many are using for all sorts of innovations, not to mention its use for gaming with the Xbox 360 and Xbox One. Apple just doesn’t have anything like it, but the PrimeSense acquisition will give the company the technology it needs to build that sort of 3D-sensing technology into TVs and wearables, among other potential uses.
Here’s one final interesting bit of information about PrimeSense and what Apple could do with the company’s assets: PrimeSense’s technology is also behind 3D Systems’ new Sense 3D Scanner, which is a compelling and intriguing device. Microsoft has been getting into the 3D printing thing in earnest, and it’s not out of the question that Apple might want to get into that game, too.
At the very least, owning PrimeSense would give Apple that capability, and with Apple’s reputation for quality and engineering prowess, we would love to see what sort of noise the Cupertino company could make in the 3D printing market.
PrimeSense issued a non-statement statement on the matter, telling various outlets that “"We are focused on building a prosperous company while bringing 3D sensing and natural interaction to the mass market in a variety of markets such as interactive living room and mobile devices. We do not comment on what any of our partners, customers or potential customers are doing and we do not relate to rumours or recycled rumours."
This isn’t the first we’ve heard of a potential PrimeSense acquisition by Apple, as the Calcalist published a report this summer indicating that a deal between the companies was a possibility, and it’s not at all surprising that Apple would want to have PrimeSense’s 3D technology under its own roof.
Kinect has become an increasingly successful product largely because it’s becoming a platform that many are using for all sorts of innovations, not to mention its use for gaming with the Xbox 360 and Xbox One. Apple just doesn’t have anything like it, but the PrimeSense acquisition will give the company the technology it needs to build that sort of 3D-sensing technology into TVs and wearables, among other potential uses.
Here’s one final interesting bit of information about PrimeSense and what Apple could do with the company’s assets: PrimeSense’s technology is also behind 3D Systems’ new Sense 3D Scanner, which is a compelling and intriguing device. Microsoft has been getting into the 3D printing thing in earnest, and it’s not out of the question that Apple might want to get into that game, too.
At the very least, owning PrimeSense would give Apple that capability, and with Apple’s reputation for quality and engineering prowess, we would love to see what sort of noise the Cupertino company could make in the 3D printing market.
